Topalbećirović: Count fans less, respect them more

(Patria) – Renowned sports journalist Sabahudin Topalbećirović spoke out after the match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Canada at the World Cup, reacting to the debates that appeared on social media about the number of Bosnia and Herzegovina fans in the stands of the stadium in Toronto.

Topalbećirović said that some people paid more attention to counting fans than to the match itself, stressing that stories about the large presence of BiH fans were not fabricated by local journalists.

„For those of you who are bothered by everything and who spent more time counting fans in the stands than watching the match, none of our journalists made up the story about the large number of Bosnian and Herzegovinian fans. Canadian media also wrote about it,“ Topalbećirović stated.

He added that he personally estimates there were around 15,000 Bosnia and Herzegovina fans at the stadium, perhaps even more, noting that they were not located in one section but spread throughout the stadium.

„They were everywhere – in jerseys, with flags, with emotion and pride,“ he said.

He particularly emphasized that the number of fans present should not be a reason for debate, because every trip to the national team matches requires significant financial costs.

„Even if there were a thousand or two of our people, I would still say: hats off. Because given the ticket prices, travel, accommodation and all expenses, every person who came to cheer for Bosnia and Herzegovina deserves respect,“ Topalbećirović wrote.

Finally, he called for more appreciation towards fans who traveled hundreds and thousands of kilometers for the national team.

„So, less counting, and a little more respect for the people who traveled hundreds and thousands of kilometers for our national team,“ Topalbećirović concluded.